Antipyretic effect of crude methanolic extract of Mytragyna speciosa in mice.

Mitragyna speciosa is a species of tropical indigenous plant that can be found mainly in Southeast Asia. This study aims to ascertain the existence of antipyretic properties of the crude methanolic extract of Mitragynaspeciosa, and determine its effective dose against Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in mice. Thirty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three treatment groups and two control groups. Pyrexia was induced by subcutaneous injection of 30% Brewer's yeast. Rectal temperature was recorded before and 18 h after induction of pyrexia every 30 min ofr 5 h. All groups treated with the crude methanolic extracts of Mitragynaspeciosa (50 mg/kg), 200 mg/kg were observed to produce signifivantreduction of rectal temperture as compared to the negative control group at different times. Ketoprofen at the dosage of 1 mg/kg coused significant (p<0.001) inhibition of fever from 0.5 to 5.0 h after treatment. In conclution, the crude methanolic extract of Mitragyna speciosa possessed dose-dependent antipyretic properties in mice. The antipyretic effective dose of the crude methanolic extract of Mitragyna speciosa was 100 mg/kg

Immuno-pathophysiological responses of mouse model to experimental infection with Brucella melitensis and its lipopolysaccharides via intraperitoneal route

Brucella melitensis is one of the major zoonotic pathogens with significant economic implications worldwide. The pathogenicity is complex and not always well understood. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) remains the major virulent factor of B. melitensis and responsible for the mechanism by which the pathogen causes its deleterious effects. In this study, 84 mice of 6–8 weeks old of both sexes were divided equally into 3 groups; namely Brucella melitensis infected group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infected group and control group. The former two groups contained 36 mice each with equal gender distribution. The control group consisted of 12 mice only. Animals in B. melitensis infected group, a single inoculum of 0.4 ml containing 109 of B. melitensis were intraperitoneally challenged while animals in LPS group, a single dose of 0.4 ml containing LPS extracted from the B. melitensis were intraperitoneally inoculated. Animals in control group received intraperitoneally, a single dose of 0.4 ml phosphate buffered saline (PBS) of pH7. Animals that were infected intraperitoneally with B. melitensis demonstrated significant clinical presentation; gross and histo-pathological evidence than LPS infected group. However, both infected groups showed elevated levels of interleukins (IL-1β and IL6), antibody levels (IgM an IgG) as early as 3 days post-infection with predominance in LPS infected group. In contrast, low levels of sex related hormonal changes in which LPS infected group showed the least concentration were also detected throughout the experimental period. In conclusion, B. melitensis can be transmitted via gastrointestinal, respiratory and reproductive tract. Moreover, LPS stimulated significantly the innate and acquired immune system without significant systemic dysfunction, suggesting potentiality of the protective properties of this component as alternative vaccine for brucellosis infection

Antipyretic effect of mitragynine and crude methanolic extract of Mitragyna speciosa Korth. in mice

Mitragyna speciose Korth., also known as ketum or kratom, is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia. Mitragynine is its major active alkaloid. It is traditionally used as treatment for various conditions, including fever. The crude extract of M. speciosa leaves has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. In general, M. speciosa induces a dose-dependent effect, inducing a stimulant effect at low dose and an opioid-like effect at a high dose. This study was conducted to determine the antipyretic effect of mitragynine and methanolic extract of M. speciosa (MSM) using mice as an in vivo pyretic model. Eighty mice were divided into 8 groups: 6 treatment groups (mitragynine: 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg; MSM: 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) and 2 control groups (20% Tween 80 in 0.9% NaCl; ketoprofen 1 mg/kg). Eighteen hours after induction of pyrexia by inoculation of yeast, rectal temperature was measured every half an hour for 5 hours. Compared to the negative control group, all groups treated with either mitragynine or MSM had significant reduction of rectal temperature at different points of time. The positive control group treated with ketoprofen had significant (P < 0.001) reduction of pyrexia from 0.5 to 5.0 hours after dosing. At 200 mg/kg, MSM has led to the opioid-like effect of hypothermia, possibly due to its synergistic effect with other compounds such as 7-hydroxymitragynine or mitragynine pseudoindoxyl. This article discusses concerns pertaining to toxicity of mitragynine and MSM, and possible involvement of cyclooxygenase and microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase pathways. In conclusion, mitragynine and MSM possess dose-dependent antipyretic properties in mice

Anti-inflammatory activity of Nigella sativa oil in rats

Nigella sativa (N. sativa), commonly known as black seed, has been a well known herb since ancient times with a wide range of healing properties. The aim of this study was to investigate anti-inflammatory activity of N. sativa seed oil at three dosages on carrageenan-induced paw oedema, total white blood cell (TWBC) count and plasma protein in rats. Acute inflammation was induced by subplantar injection of carrageenan (0.1 ml, 1 % w/v) into the rat hind paw. 500 mglkg, 1000 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg of N. sativa oil were administrated orally. Paw oedema, total white blood cell count and plasma protein were assessed. N. sativa seed oil exerted significant inhibition of paw oedema at the dosage of 1500 mg/kg at second hour and plasma protein at a dosage of 1000 mg/kg at third hour (p< 0.05). No significant inhibition ofTWBC count was exerted by N. sativa seed oil at third hour after treatment at dosages used in this study. There was also dose-dependent correlation of N. sativa seed oil on inhibition of paw oedema. These results support the traditional use of N. sativa seed oil for the treatment of inflammatory diseases

Detection of resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes to albendazole and ivermectin in goats

Gastrointestinal nematodes infection is one of the most important diseases of small ruminants in Malaysia, particularly goats. Control of gastrointestinal helminthiasis in small ruminants relies almost exclusively on the use of anthelmintic drugs but the effective control is limited by the development of anthelmintic resistance. This study evaluated the efficacy of albendazole and ivermectin that are currently used as preventive medicine in herd health programme of small ruminants as well as to detect the presence of anthelmintic resistance to both anthelmintics. Faecal examination was done by the McMaster technique to determine the number of eggs/g faeces. Efficacy of albendazole and ivermectin were calculated based on arithmetic means of pre-treatment and post-treatment eggs/g (e.p.g). While detection of anthelmintic resistance was done by faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) in which arithmetic means of post-treatment e.p.g. for treated and control group were used. In this study, albendazole was moderately effective with percentage efficacy of 86% and ivermectin was ineffective with percentage efficacy of 16%. Anthelmintic resistance was detected to both drugs used in this study in which albendazole with 87% of reduction on faecal egg counts (FEC) associated with 61% lower 95% confidence limit and ivermectin with 13% reduction of FEC associated with -91% lower 95% confidence limit. In this study the resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes to albendazole and ivermectin in treated goats was detected. There was also evidence of reduction in FEC in both treated groups but not to a desirable level

Mitragynine as an anthelmintic for caprine strongyles

Helminth infection is one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in small ruminant industries in Malaysia. Hence, helminth infection can lead to direct or indirect economic loss to farmers. Over the past 30 years, farmers have mainly relied on the use of commercial anthelmintics to control helminth infection. Unfortunately, heavy usage of the anthelmintics has led to the development of anthelmintic resistance. Therefore, an in vitro study was conducted to determine the anthelmintic properties of mitragyine (the major alkaloid in M. speciosa) against L3 stage larvae of strongyles. Five different concentrations of mitragynine were studied for their efficacy against L3 stage larvae of strongyles and five replicates for each concentration were prepared. The mortality was observed at 0, 2, 4 6 ad 24 hours post-treatment by observing the absence of motility of the larvae. The results revealed that the most effective and lowest effective concentrations of mitragynine within a 24 hour period were 0.4 and 0.2 mg/mL, respectively. Mitragynine also exhibited dose-dependent anthelmintic activity during the 24 hour period of observation

A randomized, doubled-blind study comparing multiple doses of Channa striatus supplementation for knee osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of chronic disability at older age. Channa striatus (CS) is a freshwater fish that is traditionally valued for its medicinal properties in promoting wound healing and reducing post-operative pain. This study evaluate the efficacy of different doses of oral Channa striatus extract on primary knee osteoarthritis patients. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 3-arm trial was conducted comparing oral CS extract 1000 mg/day or 500 mg/day and placebo among knee OA patients for a 6-month intervention period. The main outcome measures were Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), analgesic scores and serum cartilage oligomeric matric protein (COMP). Laboratory-based blood tests were used as safety measures. A total of 120 patients were randomized, and 112 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Significant reductions in WOMAC stiffness and function scores were achieved at month 6 in CS 1000 mg/day and CS 500 mg/day compared to placebo groups (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of analgesic scores, serum COMP and biochemical parameters. No serious adverse events were reported in the study. In conclusion, both doses of CS showed similar efficacy and were more effective than the placebo in treating the symptoms of knee OA

Pharmacodynamics, chiral pharmacokinetics and PK–PD modelling of ketoprofen in the goat

There have been few studies of the pharmacodynamics of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) using PK–PD modelling, yet this approach offers the advantage of defining the whole concentration–effect relationship, as well as its time course and sensitivity. In this study, ketoprofen (KTP) was administered intravenously to goats as the racemate (3.0 mg/kg total dose) and as the single enantiomers, S(+) KTP and R(−) KTP (1.5 mg/kg of each). The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of KTP were investigated using a tissue cage model of acute inflammation. The pharmacokinetics of both KTP enantiomers was characterized by rapid clearance, short mean residence time (MRT) and low volume of distribution. The penetration of R(−) KTP into inflamed (exudate) and noninflamed (transudate) tissue cage fluids was delayed but area under the curve values were only slightly less than those in plasma, whereas MRT was much longer. The S(+) enantiomer of KTP penetrated less readily into exudate and transudate. Unidirectional inversion of R(−) to S(+) KTP occurred. Both rac-KTP and the separate enantiomers produced marked inhibition of serum thromboxane B2 (TxB2) synthesis (ex vivo) and moderate inhibition of exudate prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis (in vivo); pharmacodynamic variables for S(+) KTP were Emax (%) = 94 and 100; IC50 (μg/mL) = 0.0033 and 0.0030; N = 0.45 and 0.58, respectively, where Emax is the maximal effect, IC50 the plasma drug concentration producing 50% of Emax and N the slope of log concentration/effect relationship. The IC50 ratio, serum TxB2:exudate PGE2 was 1.10. Neither rac-KTP nor the individual enantiomers suppressed skin temperature rise at, or leucocyte infiltration into, the site of acute inflammation. These data illustrate for KTP shallow concentration–response relationships, probable nonselectivity of KTP for cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 inhibition and lack of measurable effect on components of inflammation

Antibiotic resistance and plasmid carriage among Escherichia coli isolates from chicken meat in Malaysia

Escherichia coli isolates from 131 raw chicken meat samples were tested for susceptibility to 12 antibiotics. Plasmids were isolated from many samples and their DNA molecular weight calculated. An 81.7% plasmid occurrence rate was observed among the isolates, ranging from 0 to 8 in number and with sizes from 1.2 to 118.6 MDa. Plasmids were detected in 93.8% of E. coli isolates resistant to all 12 antibiotics, and in 90.5% of E. coli isolates resistant to 11. Three (2.8%) isolates harboured 8 plasmids and were resistant to all 12 antibiotics. Antibiotic resistant genes in bacteria are usually carried in extrachromosomal DNA and it is postulated that E. coli with a high number of plasmids possesses wider resistance to antibiotics

Cytotoxic effects of conjugated linoleic acids on human hepatoma cancer cells (HepG2)

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) are group of polyunsaturated fatty acids that attract considerable attention due to their anticarcinogenic effects. In this study, the viability, apoptosis and cell cycle status of human hepatoma cells (HepG2) following treatment with cis-9,trans-11(c9,t11), trans-10,cis-12 (t10,c12) and mixed isomers of CLA were investigated. Cells were grown routinely on RPMI 1640 media and treated with different concentrations of CLA isomers for 72 hours. 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity assay, acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI) staining and terminal deoxynucleotide transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were used to determine the results. The viability of HepG2 cells was reduced significantly (P < 0.05) by all CLA isomers tested in a dose-dependent manner. The median inhibitory concentration (IC50) value varies with type of CLA isomer. Mixed isomers were significantly (P < 0.05) more potent than c9, t11 CLA isomer. All CLA isomers tested were able to induce characteristic apoptotic changes and significant (P < 0.05) proportion of apoptosis. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher proportion of cells in G0/1 and lower proportion in G2/M phases of the cell cycle in treated cells were also observed. Therefore, results suggested that CLA isomers reduce viability and proliferation of HepG2 cancer cells in relation with cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis